A pastor in Ondo State, Olabanjo Felix Gold, has announced his decision to leave Christianity and embrace Ìṣẹ̀ṣe, the traditional Yoruba religious practice, after what he described as a spiritual journey that led him to Ifá.
Olabanjo, founder of Image of God Evangelical and Prophetic Ministries, made the declaration in a video shared online, where he introduced himself by his new spiritual identity, Ifawamiri Aworan Olodumare, Babalawo of Ifá.
The former cleric expressed appreciation to Ifá and traditional religious elders whom he said guided him through the process of embracing the indigenous spiritual practice.
He specifically acknowledged his Oluwo, Baba Aifuwapẹ, identified as Oluṣẹgun Latunji, the Araba of Isararemọ, for his guidance and support.
Olabanjo also thanked other individuals who, according to him, played roles in his spiritual transition, stressing the importance of elders in traditional Yoruba religious practices.
Explaining his decision, the former pastor criticised what he described as “foreign religions”, declaring that Ìṣẹ̀ṣe represented, in his view, the authentic spiritual path.
“I have embraced Ifá and Ìṣẹ̀ṣe, and I am now known as Ifawamiri Aworan Olodumare, Babalawo of Ifá,” he said in the video.
His announcement has since generated reactions on social media, with users expressing divergent views over his decision to abandon Christianity and embrace traditional Yoruba spirituality.
While some commenters debated the implications of his decision, others focused on his transition from Christian ministry to the practice of Ifá.
